The Ripple Effects of a Vibrant Students’ Union Towards National Development

Oluwatayo Ogundare
“Tracing back in history, student unionism began in 1925 with the establishment of West African Students’ Union (WASU), initiated by some Nigerian students in London. The first president was a Nigerian, Ladipo Solanke. With the formation of the University College, Ibadan, in 1948, there were efforts to commence student unionism and extend its tentacles to other higher institutions in Nigeria through the formation of National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) in 1956 as the national body.”
Contrary to the archaic knowledge of some individuals that the students’ union is only a few selected number of representatives, the students’ union comprises all students across all levels of institutions. The helms of affairs of the students’ union is not expected to be left to just a few selected students but should be attended to by all concerned students. The roles of the students’ union both within and outside the campus jurisdiction can never be underplayed. Their past contributions towards national development are commendable and notable. Students have in the past raised their voices against injustice both at the local and national level.
Students’ unions were at the forefront of Nigeria’s struggle for independence. Groups like the West African Students’ Union (WASU) campaigned against colonial rule, raised awareness, and supported nationalist leaders. Students unions have participated in various protests against anti student policies and injustice, such as the 1978 “Ali Must Go” protest, which opposed tuition fee hikes under the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. “Everything Must Fall” protest in October 2015, was a student-led movement against proposed tuition fee increase in various South African universities. Student unions have mobilized to resist policies perceived as anti-people, such as police brutalization, removal of fuel subsidies, and the privatization of education; among others.
All these couldn’t have happened not for the presence of concerned and radical students, united students’ groups and selfless leaders, etc. A notable student body then was the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS), created in 1983 to serve as the front and to represent students in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Unfortunately, since the intrusion of student politicians into the affairs of the union, students’ unionism has never been the same- strong as it was since inception. Student politicians have only one aim: to use their offices at the institutional level as stepping stones into mainstream politics. NANS, as it is now, is not how it used to be. It has evolved into a fully funded mainstream political body with different factions. NANS is primarily the home for aspiring student politicians who wish to have a taste of the national cake. It’s no longer a body for the liberation of the students as it was. What can we do when there’s no longer a functioning united front for students’ bodies in various institutions.
The students’ union leaders at various institutions are now the sons and daughters of the management. They play to the tune of the management as againsts the interest of the students. They often say: “the fear of getting whipped by the cane of the management is the beginning of wisdom,” but they’ve forgotten that it was some particular group of students who fought for the privilege they enjoy as of today. This is the reason why students’ leaders can’t really voice the concerns of the students against the school management. Offices at the students’ union levels are not offices for frying and eating “akara.” They are offices that are meant to function in the best interest of the students. In the early hours of today, students woke up to see that a sizable number of trees at Heritage park had fallen by midnight. This generated a lot of reactions both from the students and the university community. But as of the time of writing this article, approximately 16 hours later, the students’ union executives of the University of Ibadan are yet to release any statements concerning this event. It’s a slap on the faces of each student in this community because a union that claims intellectual unionism should know the right stance to take without being told. Even a dog bites its owner when dealt with extreme punishment or mishandled in a dangerous manner. A student leader who can’t address the management will obviously be incapacitated to address the state governor whenever issues relating to students arise.
The general student community also has played passive roles in ensuring positive contribution to national development. The courage of students, have since a long time ago, gone into extinction. Students nowadays can’t distinguish between justice and injustice just like how a deaf can’t differentiate the tone of the voice of a messenger. “We just want to graduate,” they say, forgetting that the university is just a reflection of the larger society. When a student finds it challenging to lend his or her voice to pressing issues in the student community, it will be difficult for such individuals to contribute meaningfully to any issues of national development.
Students now cultivate the habit of giving their representatives free passes when they fail to hold up to their constitutional duties and faulted manifestos. Students, have in many ways, failed to hold their leaders accountable and disciplined. “Give him/her more time, he’s just a student like you, do you want him to do more than his power, humanity service can come later, his education is his priority.” These are examples of ridiculous excuses that students make up in order to defend their favourite candidates whenever they’re criticized by fellow students. Typical students like that are the ones who defend the worst of the worst of Nigerian leaders. A student who is supposed to be an intellectual is expected to act in the betterment of the community . When we fail to hold student leaders accountable at this level, how can we as students hold our national leaders accountable and dedicated?
Having a vibrant students’ union across various institutions will practically reflect on the national development. Issues like tuition fee hike, inadequate funding of education, food inflation, security, climate degradation, etc. would have been strongly addressed without dragging issues.
A vibrant students’ union will serve as a watchdog for the government across all tiers. A united national students’ body will speak on behalf of the students and the students will once again become a force to reckon with in the society. This is a call for students to wake up and uphold their roles as intellectuals in society. We are not only in school to get the certificate but also to learn how to address the issues in the society. The certificate will help, but it will only help in a functional society.